Sen. Nelson's approval ratings take a hit in wake of health vote

Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) approval ratings have slid since voting for health reform legislation, according to a poll released Sunday .

48 percent of Nebraskans say they disapprove of the way Nelson, a centrist who provided Democrats with the critical 60th vote for health reform, is handling his job. 42 percent said they approve, according to a poll by Wiese Research Associates conducted for the Omaha-World Herald.

Those numbers mark a slide for Nelson, who won reelection in 2006 with nearly 64 percent of the vote.

Voters' dissatisfaction with Nelson stemmed from his support for healthcare legislation, the World-Herald reported, though it did not report on specific numbers.

Nelson's vote for the bill has been under attack by Republicans, specifically for the provision included to give Nebraska $100 million in Medicaid assistance. Nelson asked Senate leaders on Friday to remove that provision.

Nelson had also come under fire from Democrats for having held out so long on supporting the legislation, until the public option was removed and restrictions on federal subsidies for insurance plans covering abortions were removed.